Diffuser/emulsifier

Abstract

A diffuser provides the ability to diffuse one or more infusion materials into a host material. A rotor and stator rotate relative to one another. The infusion materials are drawn through openings in the rotor and stator. These openings are also causing turbulence within the host material, which is flowing through an area between the rotor and stator. As aligned openings pass one another, succussion occurs, which provides energy to diffuse the infusion materials into the host material to an extremely high degree. The opening patterns in the rotor and stator can be designed to operate at a single frequency or at multiple frequencies. The frequencies of operation may affect bonding between the infusion materials and the host material and may also be effective in break down of complex molecular structures.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 957,530 filed Oct. 24, 1997 entitled “DIFFUSER / EMULSIFIER” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,751.STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Technical Field[0004]This invention relates in general to diffusers and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for diffusing or emulsifying a gas or liquid into a material.[0005]2. Description of the Related Art[0006]In many applications, it is necessary to diffuse or emulsify one material—gas or liquid—within a second material. Emulsification is a subset of the process of diffusion wherein small globules of one liquid are suspended in a second liquid with which the first will not mix, such as oil into vinegar. One important application of the diffusion process is in wastewater treatment. Many municipalities aerate their wastewater as part of the treatment proces...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The present invention provides significant advantages over the prior art. First, the micro-cavitations generated by the device allow diffusion to occur at a molecular level, increasing the amount of infusion material which will be held by the host material and the persistence of the diffusion. Second, the micro-cavitations and shock waves can be produced by a relatively simple mechanical device. Third, the frequency or frequencies of the shock wave produced by the device can be used in many applications, either to break down complex structures or to aid in combining structures. Fourth, the cavitations and shock waves can be produced uniformly throughout a material for consistent diffusion.

Problems solved by technology

Third, a system produced by AQUATEX injects air or oxygen into the water and subjects the water / gas to a large scale vortex.

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